Brough, Paula, Timms, Carolyn, and Chan, Xi Wen (2020) Employees' psychological health and the impact of flexible working arrangements. In: Norgate, Sarah H., and Cooper, Cary L., (eds.) Flexible work: designing our healthier future lives. Current issues in Work and Organizational Psychology (8). Routledge, Abingdon, UK, pp. 35-47.

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Abstract

In this chapter we discuss the construct of psychological health and its relationship with enhanced organisational productivity. Unlike previous generations where workforces were primarily male and work locations were fixed, modern workplaces are characterised by a greater diversity in personnel and locale. Many organisations have adopted flexible work arrangements (FWAs) which assist employees to balance their competing responsibilities. Commitments to work can be constrained by other compelling commitments in people’s lives, commonly including demands arising from family responsibilities, sports activities, study, community work, and such like. However, in spite of the need, the take-up of FWAs can be varied. Many workers find alternative, but less satisfactory, ways of addressing the competing demands in their lives. In many cases, the reason for poor take-up is influenced by organisational cultures that covertly discourage employees from utilising FWAs (see, Cech and Blair-Loy, 2014; Fuller and Hirsh, 2018). Consequently, employees with few alternatives may experience a stigma when accessing FWAs, which can adversely affect their wellbeing and their career advancement. We begin this chapter by defining what we mean by psychological health and we discuss why organisations should be interested in their employees' levels of psychological health. We discuss the commonly available FWAs and their demonstrated impacts for levels of employee engagement and productivity. Finally, we review the common gender and generational differences which impact FWA offerings, and we suggest key issues for the consideration of future researchers in this field.

Item ID:	63362
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-0-367-34566-2
Keywords:	Flexible work arrangements; Psychological Health; Work-Life Balance.
Copyright Information:	The right of Sarah H. Norgate and Cary L. Cooper to be identified as authors of the editorial materia, and of the authors for their individual chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Date Deposited:	03 Sep 2020 00:46
FoR Codes:	52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5201 Applied and developmental psychology > 520104 Industrial and organisational psychology (incl. human factors) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920401 Behaviour and Health @ 100%
Downloads:	Total: 4
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